Stamp-affixing machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. H. KING. STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

II I

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. H. KING. STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE;

No. 449,544. F WWW Pa tented Mar. 31, 1891.

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STAMP APPIXING MACHINE.

NTTED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

WILLIAM H. KING, OF BOLIVAR, NEW YORK.

STAMP-AFFIXING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 449,544, dated March 31, 1891.

Application filed February 19, 1890. Serial No. 341,079. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bolivar, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Stamp-Aflixing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to a machine for automatically feeding and sticking stamps upon envelopes and other mail-matter; and among the objects in view are to provide a machine at a reasonable cost adapted to be operated by hand, said machine being so constructed as to retain a web of postage-stamps, feed the same successively to the action of a plunger, sever the stamps, and deliver them to the surface of the'envelope, where they are pressed to position.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically dampening a portion of the envelopes to which the stamp is to be applied, the dampening mechanism being designed to be operated previous to the stamping mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, together with the novel features thereof, will appear in the following description and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of a stamp-applying machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is aside elevation,thesidewallof the case being removed. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal and vertical section of the machine. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken in rear of the stamp-cutting knife. Fig. 5 is a transverse horizontal section taken above the feedroll. Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the bell-crank yoke. Fig. 7 is a detail in longitudinal section of the feed-roll, its shaft, and other adjuncts. Fig. 8 is an inner face View of the feed-roll clutch. Fig. 9 is a detail in longitudinal section of the moistening device. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the plungerhead, and Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the same.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practice I provide a suitable base 1, a portion of the surface of which is occupied by y a raised box 2, in this instance provided with a small drawer 3, in which a supply of stamps or other accessories may be contained.

Upon the base 1, in front of the box 2, there is mounted a hollow stud 4, in which there is mounted for reciprocation a tube 5, provided at its upper end with a horizontal table 6. A coiled spring 7 is mounted in the tube and has its lower end bearing against the bottom of the stud, so that the table is held in a yielding position and adapted for a vertical reciprocatory movement. vMetal guides 8 are secured to the front wall of the box, and against the same rides the rear edge of the table. The case comprises in this instance the two opposite side walls 9, connected at their upper edges by a series of screws to a top 11. For the purpose of giving access to the interior of the case the opposite ends of the side walls are provided with vertical ways 12, in which there is mounted at each end of the machine a sliding door 13.

Depending from the top of the machine, adjacent to the front of the same, is a block 14, provided with a vertical cylindrical bore 15, registering with a similar opening formed in the top of the case. Mounted for reciprocation in .the bore of the block is a plunger 16, provided near its lower end with a crosspin or stop 17 and at its upper end above the top with a hand-knob 18. The lower end of the plunger is provided with a square head 19, the opposite sides of which are recessed, as at 20, and pivoted in. said recesses upon a pintle 21 are a series of fingers 22, the lower ends of which are curved or cut away, so that when they come in contact with an object during the downward course of the plunger they have a tendency to spread against the tension of two light springs 23, secured to the head and having their terminals resting upon the fingers beyond their pivots. The series of fingers at each side of the head are connected and support an integral L-shaped stamp-supporting rib 24, the lower L ends of which are normally maintained by the springs under the head, so that the two combined form a support forastamp. The rear end of the head is provided with a transverse, and in this instance serrated, knife or blade 25.

The rear wall of the block is vertically slotted, as at 26 which slot communicates with the cylindrical bore therein.

In rear of the block there is pivoted upon studs 26, projecting from the side walls of the case near its rear end, a bell-crank-shaped yoke 27, the upper branches of the yoke converging and uniting slightly in rear of the block and forming a neck 29, which passes through the longitudinal slot of the block and is pivoted, as at 30, to the plunger. The opposite or lower branches of the yoke depend at each side of the mechanism to near the bottom of the case, where they are bifurcated longitudinally, as at 30*.

The base-plate of the case has secured upon its upper surface and at opposite sides inverted-L-sl1aped guides 81, of which there is a pair, and mounted for longitudinal movement in the guides is a block or carriage 32, upon the upper surface of which there is located a bifurcated stud 33, through which there passes a transverse shaft 3%, the extremities of which each take into the bifurcated end of a branch of the bell-crank-shaped yoke. Coiled springs each have their rear ends connected with one end of the trans-' verse shaft 34: and their forward ends connected to pins or studs 36, projecting from the side walls of the case, so that said springs exert a tendency to draw the carriage to the front. livoted between the bifurcations of the carriage or block upon the shaft 34 is an arm 36*, thdforward end of whichis downwardly curved or lowered beyond the general plane of the arm and provided with an opening covered by a thin wire-gauze portion 38, under which there is sewed or otherwise secured a layer of textile material A box 40 surmounts the plate, and is provided with a nipple 4:1, to which may be secured a flexible tube 42, provided at its opposite end with a funnel 43. In this way water may be introduced into the box and slowly filtered through the wire-gauze and the absorbent pad thereunder. After the box has been filled with water the tube is removed. The size of the box and pad approximates that of a stamp, and said box is located and detained by the springs directly in the path of the plunger and its head. A cross-bar 44: is mounted upon the arm in rear of the box and overlaps the opposite guideribs of the base of the case, and when the box is drawn to its forward position in the path of the plunger by means of the springs said cross-bar rests upon the ribs or guides aforesaid. Secured to the ribs in rear of the cross-bar are opposite cams 46, which, when the carriage is reciprocated, are overridden by the cross-bar, so that the water-box and its pad are elevated to a plane slightly above the bottom. plate, and, as will hereinafter ap pear, are drawn bodily within and between the opposite guides and out of the path of the plunger. A curved spring 47 is secured to the crossbar and acts as a buffer to preventinjury to the dampening mechanism just described by reason of the sudden withdrawal of the same. A bridge 49 has its terminals resting on the opposite guide-ribs of the bottom plate, and rigidly connected at its front end with the same is a guide-plate 50, provided with opposite flanges 51and at its rear end with standards 52. In the latterthere is journaled aguide-roll 53, and in front of the same a spring-tongue 54, which lies upon the bottom of the guide-plate. The forward end of the plate occurs in the path of the serrated knife secu red to the plunger-head, and against said end the knife operates to sever the stamps, as hereinafter apparent.

Journaled in the side walls of the casing, just above the guide-table, is a transverse shaft 55, rigid with which is a friction-roll56, provided with a frictional surface, preferably of rubber. At one side of the friction-roll there is also rigid with the shaft a toothed locking-wheel 57, and at the opposite side a ratchet-wheel 58, which is loose upon the shaft. A spring is coiled about the shaft, and has one of its terminals connected therewith and its opposite terminal with the ratchet. An arm (51 projects upward from the shaft outside of the ratchet-wheel and at its upper end is provided with a pawl 62, which operates said wheel toward the rear, and in so doing winds the spring 60, the shaft remaining stationary during the movement of the wheel and winding of the spring. After the plunger is raised and the lockingwheel released the pawl is withdrawn from the ratchet, and intermediate these operations the spring partially rotates the feed-roll in the direction of the movement of the ratchet or to the rear. To operate the ratchet, I provide the neck of the bell-crank yoke with a cross-bar 63 and connect the same by a rod (ll to the ratchet-arm, so that by a depression of the bell-crank yoke, as caused by a movement of the plunger, the ratchet-wheel, is rotated against the tension of the spring. The relative proportion of the parts is such that by a partial rotation of the ratchet and the frictionroller by means of the pawl, as caused by a depression of the plunger, the distance which said roll moves is exactly that from one perforated line to the other of a web of stamps.

65 represents a rock-shaft, also journaled in the walls of the case above the guide-table and in rear of the feed-roll, and said shaft is provided with two rock-arms, the upper one 66 terminating against the cross-bar 63, so that when the latter is raised the rock-shat t will be operated so as to elevate the lower locking-arm 07 from mesh with the lockingwheel of the feed-shaft. Above the rock-shaft there is journaled in the side walls of the case a shaft (38, preferably removable therefrom, and provided with a spool 69, having opposite heads, and in this instance having its cylindrical portion provided with a leaf-spring 70.

A web of stamps of single width has its rear end connected under the leaf-spring,and the spool is rotated until filled. The leading end of the web is then passed down under the guide-roller, along the guide-table, between its flanges, and under-the friction-roller until its I leading end is directlyunder the pl un ger-head.

The machine is now ready for operation, and the same is as follows: An envelope to be stamped is inserted in the path of the head and under the dampening-pad and the plunger pressed by hand. This operation tilts the yoke and, as will be apparent from the above description, drags the dampening-pad across the face of the envelope, leaving moisture thereon, after which the water-box and pad are elevated and wholly withdrawn out of the path of the plunger. As the plunger descends the stamp that is embraced at opposite edges by the L shaped guides is severed along its perforated line by the serrated knife and carried by the plunger down to the moistened spot upon the envelope. When the curved fingers of the head come in contact with the envelope, they swing outward away from each other, and thus release the stamp, which by the head is tightly pressed to position. During the downward pa sing of the plunger the operation described previously of the movement of the feed-roll takes place, so that when the plunger reaches its normal position the next stamp is fed between the L- shaped guides of the head. After this feeding operation has been accomplished the rockarm will be struck by the cross bar or rod 63 of the bail, which bail is elevated, together with the plunger, by the opposite coiled springs secured to the carriage, and when said rock-arm is thus struck it forces the opposite rock-arm to a locked position, whereby the locking-wheel is inoperative, and hence no movement of the feed mechanism can take place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a machine of the class described, a plunger terminating in a head provided with opposite pivoted depending fingers, the lower ends of which are curved inwardly, guides mounted in the opposite fingers and depending at each side of the head, and springs for yieldingly maintaining the fingers in position, substantially as specified.

2. In a machine of the class described, opposite guides, a carriage mounted movably in the guides, a dampening-pad pivotally con nected with the carriage, a cross-bar projecting from the same, opposite guidesmounted at the sides of the carriage in the path of the cross-bar, a spring for yieldingly maintaining the carriage in an advanced position, and means for causing a retraction of the carriage against the spring, substantially as specified.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with guides, a carriage mounted therein, a forwardly-projecting pivoted plate connected with the carriage and terminating in a water-box provided with a pad and a cross-bar, of cams mounted on the guides, a

bell-crank yoke pivoted upon the same and having its lower ends connected with the carriage, springs for operating the carnage in one direction, and a plunger mounted above roll being fixed to the shaft, a clutch having a toothed wheel loosely mounted on the shaft and adapted to rotate the same in one direction, a pawl meshing with the wheel, and a pivoted yoke connected with the pawl and with the plunger, substantially as specified.

j 5. In a machine of the class described, a feed shaft and roll and a locking-wheel rigidly mounted thereon, in combination with a clutch mounted on and adapted for rotating the shaft in one direction, a pivoted yoke, mechanism between the yoke and clutch whereby the latter is operated by the former, and a plunger for operating said yoke,

and a rock-shaft journaled above the feed to the ends of the cross-bar and to the casing and serving to draw the carriage forwardly, a plate pivoted between the bifurcations and having its forward end downwardly curved and provided with a water-box having a reticulated bottom and an absorbent pad below the same, a cross-bar mounted on the plate and overlapping the guides, and opposite cams mounted on the guides in the path of the cross-bar, a plunger, and a pivoted bellcrank yoke mounted in the case and actuated by the plunger and having its lower ends bifurcated and connected to the cross-shaft of the carriage, substantially as specified.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a feed-roll and its shaft, of a ratchet-wheel loosely mounted on the shaft, so as to move independent of the shaft in one direction, an arm pivoted on the shaft and carrying a pawl for operating the ratchet in that direction, a spring for moving the shaft after each operation of the pawl, a pivoted yoke having a cross-bar and a connect-v ing-rod connecting the same with the pivoted arm, and a plunger pivoted to the forward end of the yoke, substantially as specified.

8. In a machine of the'class described, the combination, with a plunger, of a reciprocating carriage, a spring for drawing the carriage in one direction, a moistening-pad connected opposite pivoted fingers, the lower ends of which are curved, and springs for locking the fingers in the closed position, substantially as specified.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with guides, a carriage mounted therein, a horizontal forwardly-projecting perforated pivoted plate connected with the carriage and terminating in a water-box provided with a pad, springs for operating the carriage in one direction, and a plunger mounted above the water-box and pivotally connected 'to the carriage, substantially as specified.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the plunger and the feedshaft-, of a feed-roll mounted on the same and provided at one side with a locking vheel, a clutch adapted to rotate the shaft in one direction, a pawl meshing with the wheel and pivotally connected with the plunger, and mechanism connected with the yoke for looking the wheel during a downward movement of the plunger, substantially as specified.

12. Ina machine of the class described, the combination, with opposite guides, of a carriage mounted for reciprocation therein, opposite coiled springs serving to draw the carriage forwardly, a plate pivoted to the carriage and havingits forward end downwardly curved and provided with a water-box having a reticulated bottom and an absorbent pad below the same, a plunger, and a pivoted yoke mounted in the case and actuated by the plunger and having its lower ends connected to the carriage, substantially as specified.

13. The carriage carrying the reciprocating water-box having a reticulated bottom and an absorbent pad, combined with the plunger to actuate the carriage, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM II. KING.

'Witnesses:

WILLIAM BRUoE, JOSEPH B. KING. 

